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Forums · PNWNP

St. Helens Wildflowers?

Discussion

4 replies
Posted by Rick Dunn on August 21, 2011 at 12:03 PM
My brother will be heading from Portland to Seattle mid-week and is planning to stop off briefly at St. Helens. Are there any locations where the wildflowers are looking good? He wouldn't be doing any significant hiking, more of a touristy drive-by. Thanks in advance!
Posted by Marylynne Diggs on August 21, 2011 at 9:59 PM
Touristy drive by is tricky at MSH since all the trails and visitor centers are well off the major highways. I was at Johnston Ridge several weeks ago and got the sense that lupine and paintbrush were on the decline (and that's at a decent elevation). I have to admit that I'm not that familiar with later blooming flowers at MSH.

Anyone else know?
Posted by John Williams on August 24, 2011 at 2:23 PM
I haven't been there in a while. The flowers on the Truman Trail run a bit later than the Johnston Ridge, but it would be hard to do as a drive-by. I suspect it is quite late for the areas easily accessed by road. However, it's been a weird year.
Posted by Rick Dunn on August 24, 2011 at 3:18 PM
Marylynne, John - thanks for the guidance. I think they'll just have to take in the views sans flowers. Still not a bad way to spend a day!

Thanks again.
Posted by Marylynne Diggs on August 26, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Exactly. At MSH, I see the flowers as a bonus.